OFFENSIVE COORDINATOR BYRON LEFTWICH

(On what he sees from offensive players selected by Buccaneers in 2022 NFL Draft)

"[They're] guys that can help us, I believe. Exact guys that can help us. Guys that we liked in the draft process. So, we're just going to put them in position – it's early for them, right? Coming here, I tell people that I expect rookies to know nothing. We're going to start at day-one football with all of them so we don't miss a step. That's good for them, especially when they're rookies. We're just going to try and prepare them as best we can, but we like what they bring to us from a skill set – all those guys, [and] what they are able to do and how good they'll be able to do their job."

(On what position group he is most looking forward to seeing compete in training camp)

"Well, wide receiver depth – as you guys notice – we've had to use since we've been here in [2019]. In [2019], we end up at Week 15 and we have nobody that we started the year off wit us. But, that's how we got to meet Codey [McElroy], right? That's how Cyril [Grayson Jr.] came here. That's where those relationships started, really that Week 15 of 2019. We understand that we have depth at certain positions. But, we expect to have to use it because that's the way football is. We just want to get everybody prepared – everybody to be their best selves – understand that they're all a little different in what they bring. But, we just want them to be who they are and be the best version of that. So, that's where we are right now – I'm not really thinking of it that way. I just want everybody to try and get better – players and coaches – and then we'll worry about that once we get to that part."

(On what undrafted rookies he is looking forward to seeing)

"Oh, all of them. All of them. Cameron Brate was one of those guys at some point, right? So, you never know who's going to be in the crowd. I'm just interested. As a coach, I love being on the grass. Being in the office every day – I don't really like that part of it. I like when the players are here and we get to go out on the grass. So, any time we get to do that, it's fun."

QUARTERBACKS COACH CLYDE CHRISTENSEN

(On the progression of QB Kyle Trask)

"I think he continues to progress. It continues to be hard to get him enough reps. This will really be a great couple of weeks here, the OTAs. We're going to put a priority on getting him reps and see what he's like. It's just hard to judge anyone until you get quality reps against a defense. That's one of our goals in this camp. We've got three other veteran guys, who really don't need a ton of it. So, we're going to get him a bunch of reps to get a good, good look at him. I think he continues to progress and I'm glad we didn't have to find out opening day this year. That gives us another year to keep developing him and see. This offseason, that's one of the priorities."

(On how he found out about QB Tom Brady retuning and what his feelings were)

"Well, I'll start with the 'B' part of that question – ecstatic is the answer. Backflips – which isn't easy for me to do. Ecstatic. I kind of was suspect – I've teased. The first couple FaceTimes, he was vacuuming his condo – dusting and stuff. I just always had a feel that said, 'Hey, this guy's not quite done playing football and he played so well last year.' So, I don't know if it was hopeful or a hint that he was going to come back. Then, of course, the reaction was ecstatic. I wanted to be around him another year – I wanted to see him. I think we left some stuff undone last year. We had some injuries down the stretch and I think we really had a chance to really do even more special things than we did. So, I'm really excited about him. I think even this offseason – last year at this time, he was rehabbing a knee. So, that's what I keep reminding him, 'Hey, we're getting some good work done right now. Last year, at this time, you were just trying to get full extension of your knee – being able to lock your knee out.' So, we're way, way, way ahead of last year. I think it's a lot more fun for him – preparing is a lot more fun than rehabbing. So, I think this offseason should be a great one for him."

(On if there was a particular offensive player that garnered his attention for the Buccaneers 2022 draft class)

"You know what, not really. Not really. I always watch that quarterback class, but we really didn't have a seat in our room. We didn't have a seat in our room. So, it's probably the least draft work I've done. You do your due diligence, but it wasn't the depth that maybe sometimes if you're looking to draft (a quarterback) like last year. Last year, looking at drafting [Kyle] Trask – the work that went into that. But, it's always interesting. You target a couple guys, and we needed those picks in the later rounds. So, I think Todd [Bowles] and management, they a did all good job with that. So, not overly so."

WIDE RECEIVERS COACH KEVIN GARVER

(On the addition of WR Russell Gage Jr.)

"Russ is a great addition to the room for us. We're glad to have him on our team. Obviously, we've been going against him the last few years and he has really put together two productive years in Atlanta, so I think the proof is kind of in the pudding with him. I think the biggest thing for him is coming in and learning the new offense, learning the terminology, learning how we run our routes and the ins-and-outs to it, getting on the same page with Tom [Brady] – I think that those things are going to be big for him. Having Phase II (of OTAs) again and having this offseason program is huge. It's funny because I'm starting to realize how much I enjoy a Phase II practice now that we haven't had it in two years. I have a lot more appreciation for that, especially for a guy like Russ, where it's really slowed down and it's more of a walk-through tempo. It's an opportunity to just break it down for him, slow it down and he can kind of get the ins-and-outs of it from an alignment standpoint, and an assignment and execution [standpoint] – the whole nine. I'm looking forward to him helping contribute in whatever way he can."

(On if he foresees WR Scotty Miller having a larger role in the offense this coming season)

"I think last year was kind of weird. He went out with the injury, and with the timing of it, other guys kind of stepped up in that place and in that role. So, it kind of made it a little harder for him to get back right away. Then obviously at the end he ended up getting back on the field and stuff. He's going to have an opportunity just like everyone else. Obviously, the Super Bowl run that year, he contributed a lot to us and to the offense and made a lot of big plays for us. He definitely has the ability and I think it's just a matter of what he does on the field moving forward."

(On what led to WR Cyril Grayson Jr. being able to become a contributor toward the end of the 2021 season)

"Confidence and opportunity – those are the two things that just come to mind. He was a track guy. He played high school football and then went to LSU for track and then got in the league, so he was really kind of learning the position in a way. He kind of bounced around and ended up with us the last couple years, and he has really put in a lot of work and time. I think that's kind of where the confidence piece comes up – understanding what to do and how to do it. Then, really just looking for that opportunity. A guy goes down and it's your opportunity to step up and take advantage of those opportunities."

OFFENSIVE LINE COACH JOE GILBERT

(On what G Shaq Mason brings to the offensive line)

"Shaq's been awesome so far, really smart football player. It's hard to tell physicality, but when you watch him on tape from the Patriots – has that physicality size to him. Good pass blocker, good in the run game. I really feel great, and I know 'Goodie' (Harold Goodwin) does too, about where he is – really good in the room. [He] has picked things up really, really sharp so far. I think [he's] a positive addition to the group."

(On G Luke Goedeke and what he likes)

"Luke, I think he has all the intangibles when you watch him on tape like all you guys have. You study him and that's why we liked him from that standpoint, and the other thing is I've had the chance to work with him the last couple of days on Zoom calls. His retention and mental part of it is really good, and that, to me, is the hardest thing probably for any college kid coming out anymore is how fast can they pick up the system because of the volume is so much different here at this level than it is at the college level. So far from his retention on the Zoom calls he seems pretty good."

(On the competition at left guard)

"I think it's going to be a lot of fun to watch in camp to be honest with you. You look [and] you have [Aaron] Stinnie, you have Nick Leverett, you have Robert Hainsey, who is a football junkie. Those guys are going to come out and what's better than competition. I think that's probably, to me, for us, going to be one of the really fun positions to watch through camp – the development and the competition. That's the one thing we've preached [and] Goodie (Harold Goodwin) has preached in our room – it's open. That spot there every guy has a shot – Brandon Walton – all those guys. It's going to be a lot of fun."

RUNNING BACKS COACH TODD MCNAIR

(On third-round selection RB Rachaad White)

"I think he'll fit [well]. I think that was a really good scheme fit. If you think back, we've always talked about David Johnson and how his role was in Arizona in the offense. And 'Lenny' (Leonard Fournette) kind of fit that bill because he could split out and [perform] wide receiver stuff. His versatility is a plus. This kid is a lot like 'Lenny' in that aspect. He can split out, catch it, and do all the stuff that we ask him to do – just a great fit for us in the offensive scheme and things."

(On the best way for Rachaad White to get on the field)

"Well, first and foremost is assimilating the offense [and] knowing what to do. We ask our running backs to do a lot – if they have that ability, the versatility to do the different things – split out and then the backfield and all that. The first thing is his ability to learn what to do and everything. Then it's a matter of how good he does it, but getting the scheme down, learning pro football, [and] protection is the big thing. [There is] a guy back there that we can't get him hurt, so those are the things he's going to have to do."  

(On the continuity of the running back room and bringing in the new guys)

"It was good. The scheme, the fit, like even 'Gio' [Bernard] is so much more comfortable with what we do. You have to think a guy like Ke'Shawn [Vaughn] and 'Gio' and 'Lenny,' as a matter of fact, the past couple seasons we haven't had offseason work. They had a little bit last year. The year before that we didn't do anything, so all three of those guys really, I don't think have gone through this period in this time of year to really get comfortable [and] learn the scheme of things."

TIGHT ENDS COACH JOHN VAN DAM

(On fourth-round selection TE Cade Otton)

"Cade – we're considering him an in-line 'Y' tight end, which is our on-the-ball guy – a guy that can hold the point in the run game and also gives you the ability to throw it to him as well. We like his versatility. He's a great kid. We had some fantastic interviews with him down in Indianapolis as well as over Zoom, just getting to know him. He loves the game of football and I think he is a guy not only that can help us this season, but a guy that we can work with and a guy that can really help us add some youth to that room, which obviously we don't have a lot of."

(On sixth-round selection TE Ko Kieft)

"Ko – everybody kind of likes to have a guy like him on your football team. A guy that is going to run through that wall if you tell him to run through the wall. His blocking is definitely his strength as many have seen from his film. I'm sure you can see his versatility off-the-ball and on-the-ball, or as move guy. We can move him in different spots. He was asked to do a lot at Minnesota, mostly as a blocker. I think we will see when we get a chance to work with him hands-on this weekend – we'll get a chance to see what type of athleticism he has. I think he is a little more athletic than people may give him credit for, and we will get a chance to see him catch the ball a little bit and see if we can help him do that, as well."

(On how valuable TE Cameron Brate's veteran presence will be to the tight ends room)

"Cam – I can't speak highly enough about him. Whatever role we put Cam in, he rises to the occasion. He's not thought of as an in-line blocker, but there were times last year and in the past that we've had to rely on him to do that, and he has excelled at it. And he's obviously a great mentor, as well. He's been at every single offseason program. He's here, which he doesn't have to be, and he is definitely a team guy. We appreciate that from him. He will help out these rookies and he will help out Codey [McElroy]. The great part for Codey is obviously right now we've got two tight ends going through this offseason stuff, so they're getting a lot of work. Codey has not been through an offseason program in a few years. Obviously with what we've been dealing with the last several years, we haven't had the opportunity to really develop him, and I think that's the biggest thing for him is to have an opportunity to develop as a player. He played baseball, right? He didn't even know what an over-front, under-front or what any front was when he got here, so it has been a process. He has taken it and it's fun to see him out there running around with some confidence and playing fast. We're really excited about what he brings as well moving forward."

-BUCCANEERS-